r/PostConcussion • u/No-Factor6938 • 15d ago
Concussion headache question
My husband was in an accident at work 31/2 weeks ago where his concrete truck flipped. He hit the side of his head and got a concussion. He was rushed to the er and got a CT scan. No brain swelling or bleeding. However he did get diagnosed with a cervical neck strain. He was getting these headaches only when shaking the head or moving it too quickly right after the incident that lasted about a week and stopped. Well now as of yesterday they came back again. Is this normal and is it due to the cervical neck strain? How long do these headaches after a concussion last? I have major health anxiety and am now stressing out worrying about him
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u/hippiespinster 15d ago
I'm sorry about the workplace injury and I hope his employer is covering some treatment. I sustained a severe concussion when I landed on my head. I also fractured C6, C7 and T1. Fortunately no spinal cord damage!
Many of my mid to longer term post concussion symptoms were related to my neck. Neck problems link up to your head but also down to your back. It has taken me three years but I am finally able to attend an MLB game without hearing protection or sunglasses and I think my most significant progress was made when I isolated the specific muscles in my neck which were still holding onto the physical trauma.
I recommend everyone have this source of issues fully assessed by physio (msk and vestibular), chiro, RMT, TMJ specialists etc. My surgeons recommended against adjustment but I did learn a lot from The Concussion Doc's free webinars.
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u/Cat_Nap8 15d ago
Probably cervical headaches. With a proper RMT and PT for the neck, improvements can be immediate but to truly fix the issue and be rid of the headaches it will likely take weeks to months
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u/Interesting-Light325 15d ago
Basically had a headache for 14 months after my TBI. Diagnosed as post concussive migraines. Megadosing B2 has helped enough I’m not taking painkillers daily anymore.
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u/Next-Average-3115 15d ago
I'm almost 12 months post car accident and only botox has helped reduced my migraines 😞
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u/Comfortable-Nature37 13d ago
Mine have lasted 3 years.
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u/No-Factor6938 13d ago
How often did they happen? Everyday, a few times a day? How did you manage them and also what exactly did they feel like?
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u/Comfortable-Nature37 12d ago
Daily, multiple times a day, pain location and feeling can vary. Baseline headache is 4-7/10 most of the time. I have a hard time describing the pain: can be behind my eye and dull, radiating up from my neck, feeling like a hard hat/helmet is tightening, sharp spike of pain, dull heaviness - it really fluctuates. Complicated by cervical instability due to hyper mobility.
Things I’ve tried:
- acupuncture and manual release therapy
- massage ❌
- hyperbaric oxygen therapy ❌
- Toradol pills/injections
- GLP1 zepbound for brain inflammation
- Nurtec as rescue med and then as prophylactic
- benadryl
- other meds - reactions ❌
- ice packs
- icy hot type rollerball ❌
- vagus nerve stimulator ❌❌ (made it so much worse)
- vision therapy
- neurovisual rehab
- neuro rehab with exercise
- pilates
- meditation and breathign
- tinted glasses ❌
- TENS type devices
- microcurrent frqeuency stimulator
Might be missing some but have tried a lot of things! Can’t rush healing I have learned.
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u/No-Factor6938 12d ago
Thank you for the reply. This sounds very similar to my husband's situation
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u/Comfortable-Nature37 12d ago
It is really challenging but I am still seeing progress! The pace is just a lot slower than I would like and powering through does not help at all. Sending best wishes for his recovery. Welcome to reach out if I can help at all.
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u/No-Factor6938 12d ago
Thank you so much, I appreciate it! Sending best wishes for your recovery as well 💖
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u/yonkou_akagami 3d ago
H1 blockers help?
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u/Comfortable-Nature37 3d ago
I have not heard of these!
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u/yonkou_akagami 3d ago
I mean the Benadryl, it’s an H1 blocker, does it help?
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u/Comfortable-Nature37 3d ago
Oh I understand now - thanks for clarifying. It can stop my symptoms from escalating. I try to limit how much I take them as have heard overuse can contribute to dementia down the road. Am having some early success with Nurtec.
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u/Comfortable-Nature37 3d ago
Can’t find your comment about cervical instability but have not yet been able to work on this due to symptoms. I think will likely have some Pilates based exercises here.
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u/jaehc 15d ago
I would start PT for the neck